Amidst the fiery competition at the Cedar Park 7-on-7 tournament Tuesday night, Texas 2009 five-star recruit Garrett Gilbert was finally given the chance to play the role of spectator. Coming off shoulder surgery for a torn labrum, the flip-flop wearing Gilbert played the role of center for sophomore quarterback Michael Brewer in their matchup against Lago Vista.

"The surgery went really well," Gilbert said. "The doctor said it looks really clean."

Although he started throwing again about a week ago, the 2007 4A state champion didn't want to chance aggravating his injury by competing in the 7-on-7 tournaments this off-season.

"The arm feels good," Gilbert said, adding that he already has full range of motion in his shoulder, and that he is on schedule to be ready for the upcoming season. Listed as 6-3, 186 pounds in the Rivals database, Gilbert said he's actually closer to 6-4, 200 pounds after an off-season of training.

Previously citing it as his biggest weakness, Gilbert has also been working all off-season on improving his footwork.

"It's really all I've been able to do since my surgery," Gilbert said. "I've been working on drop backs and moving around the pocket a lot. Other than that, I've just been working on learning the new offense."

After defeating Highland Park for the state championship last season, head coach Jeff Dicus left Lake Travis to take over the helm at Duncanville High School. His successor is Chad Morris, who won a State Championship with Bay City in 2000, and has gone 135-25 in his 14 years as a head coach.

"It's a similar spread offense," Gilbert said, referring to Morris' newly introduced offensive scheme. "There is a little bit of difference in wording, but other than that it's pretty much the same."

Gilbert has high expectations for the upcoming season, and hopes that "as a team, we'll be able to get back to where we were last year, and do it all over again."

As for Brewer, who is the son of former Longhorn quarterback Robert Brewer, and grandson of former Longhorn quarterback Charley Brewer, he was also on hand to answer some questions.

When asked about his expectations for the 7-on-7 season, Brewer confidently answered, "I definitely expect us to win the state tournament this season."

Last season, Brewer played on the Lake Travis freshman 7 on 7 team, and ended up losing a heartbreaker in the state championship game.

"I think I've progressed a lot since last season," Brewer said. "The new coaches are great, they've helped me a lot."

The 6-1, 166-pound Brewer said sitting behind Gilbert has also helped him progress as a player, mentioning that the two are "good friends, both on and off the field," and that the two regularly watch film together.